According to reports, the number of elevators across Hangzhou continues to rise. City-wide data shows that the total number of elevators in use has reached 167,170, a year-on-year increase of 11.5%. Among them, 36,000 elevators have been in service for over 10 years, and 12,600 for over 15 years. So how is elevator safety ensured? Let's explore the role that hydraulic buffers play in elevators.
Generally speaking, elevators must undergo supervision and inspection before being put into use, and be inspected regularly every year. The buffer is a mechanical safety device located behind the elevator. Its function is: when other safety devices of the elevator fail to prevent the car from going out of control, the car or counterweight absorbs and dissipates energy by impacting the hydraulic buffer.
How does the hydraulic buffer used in elevators work? Inside the hydraulic buffer, it is filled with hydraulic oil and nitrogen gas. When the impact head is struck, the piston rod is pushed into the cylinder, and the piston forces the hydraulic oil to flow out through orifices of different sizes. As the stroke decreases, the orifices gradually close, achieving linear deceleration of the car body. The moving speed of the car that needs to be controlled decreases as the buffering stroke reduces. The hydraulic oil flows into the oil chamber, and the nitrogen gas above is compressed by the piston rod, reducing its volume and increasing its pressure. When the load is removed, the piston, under the nitrogen pressure, returns the piston rod to its original position. This is the entire working principle and process.
When the elevator goes out of control, the hydraulic buffer acts as the final safety buffering measure to prevent the elevator car or counterweight from directly crashing into the pit or hitting the ceiling, thereby protecting the safety of passengers and equipment. It is hoped that with the assistance of hydraulic buffers, elevator safety can be further enhanced.
